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JAM

937-939 N DAMEN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60622 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

JAM has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 13, 2010. The most recent inspection, on October 22, 2013, found no infractions.

3 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Pests and Food source, labelling and allergens.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 7, 2010. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded once on November 5, 2010. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on November 5, 2010. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded once on June 7, 2010. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on May 13, 2011. For example: WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

8 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST CLEAN WALL BY DISH MACHINE, REAR KITCHEN AREA
  4. Complaint Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.ELECTRIC OVEN IN KITCHEN MUST BE UNDER VENTILATION, WHEN THE EQUIPMENT IS MORE THAN 7.5 KILOWATTS.
  5. Complaint

    6 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines.FOUND APPROXIMATELY 20 FRUIT FLIES IN CLUTTERED DISHWASHING AREAS.MUST CEAN,SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS,PROVIDE MISSING LIDS ON PRODUCE BINS,TRASH CANS,BUCKETS OF SOILED DISHES,MAINTAIN FLOORS DRY AT ALL TIMES TO MINIMIZE SAID PEST PROBLEM,PEST CONTROL CO SERVICE NOW RECCOMENDED.
    • 29. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090
      • A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each Minor violation that is not corrected upon re-inspection by the health authority.PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#250615 6/7/10 #32 MUST PROVIDE FURTHER PROTECTION TO SHELVING AT FRONT WERE MULTI-USE DISHWARE IS STORED-MUST BE PROTECTED AGAINST PUBLIC CONTAMINATION.#34 THE FLOORS IN REAR ICE MACHINE ROOM ARE DIRTY,CLEAN FLOORS IN DETAIL.#42 FOUND NO HAIR RESTRAINTS ON FOOD HANDLERS.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • MUST PROPERLY STORE,LABEL ALL FOODS IN COOLERS TO IDENTIFY PRODUCTS.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST REPAIR FLOORING BENEATH DISHMACHINE TO SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • TOILET ROOM DOOR MUST BE SELF CLOSING.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • ELECTRIC OVEN IN KITCHEN MUST BE UNDER VENTILATION, WHEN THE EQUIPMENT IS MORE THAN 7.5 KILOWATTS.
  6. Complaint

    0 infractions

  7. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.MUST PROVIDE FURTHER PROTECTION TO SHELVING AT FRONT WERE MULTI-USE DISHWARE IS STORED.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.THE FLOORS IN REAR ICE MACHINE ROOM IS DIRTY,CLEAN THE FLOORS IN DETAIL.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.FOUND NO THERMOMETER INSIDE REFRIGERATOR REAR FOOD PREP.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • All employees shall be required to use effective hair restraints to confine hair.FOUND NO HAIR RESTRAINTS ON FOOD HANDLERS.
  8. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served.FOUND NOCERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED,SERVED DURING THIS INSPECTION.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.MUST PROVIDE FURTHER PROTECTION TO SHELVING AT FRONT WERE MULTI-USE DISHWARE IS STORED.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair THROUGHOUT REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM,UNDER HOT COOKING EQUIPMENTS AT FRONT PREP.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • All employees shall be required to use effective hair restraints to confine hair.

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